ICA camp ends with talent showcase
Can you imagine putting on a show after only two weeks of preparation? It might be a daunting task for adults, but children? Well, they love a challenge… and a chance to strut their stuff. Today the Bliss held a showcase of young talent from their expressive arts summer camp. News Five was there.
Karla Heusner, Reporting
At least one hundred children from Belize City participated in the Institute of Creative Arts, ICA summer camp. And while these kids probably thought it was a brand new idea, the programme has its roots in the past.
Leroy Green, Programmes Director
?The old Belize Arts Council used to have an expressive arts summer camp, but since NICH was formed two years ago we have not done it. So this year we decided we were going to bring back that old tradition. So we decided to go a bit further by sponsoring camps not only at the Bliss but at the Banquitas House of Culture, and the Evergreen Primary School in Belmopan, and all the camps are simultaneous.?
?What we did was split the group called Phoenix into three, and sent teams to each district. The camps focus primarily on the expressive arts: drama, dance, music, vocals, and arts and craft as you see around you. It was on weekdays, for two weeks and today was the grand culmination of it all. Children came from all over the place; we just ask that they be between the ages of nine to fourteen. A lot came under that age because parents really wanted them to be a part of it, but they fit right in and they produced what you saw this morning.?
And while a two-week seminar might be taxing on some adults, for the children it was exhilarating and over all too soon.
Leroy Green
?I think that they really enjoyed themselves because many of them, when we said today was the last day they, expressed dissatisfaction that it was over so quick, according to them.?
Karla Heusner for News Five.
But don’t worry, summer fun at the Bliss is not over yet as your children can still register for a percussion camp lead by musician Carlos Perrote, and art classes which run weekday mornings from July twenty-fifth to August fifth. High school students and adults can also attend percussion sessions in the afternoons. The art camp is being held in memory of Eder Alamilla, a young Belizean artist who died in March. For more information on either camp, contact Tanya Carter at the Bliss at 227-2110.
